Radio-frequency front-end circuit and communication device

ABSTRACT

Radio-frequency front-end circuit includes: first transfer circuit that transfers a 4G signal, a first antenna terminal connected to a first antenna, a second antenna terminal connected to a second antenna, and a switch that includes a first selection terminal and a second selection terminal. The first selection terminal is connected to the first transfer circuit, and the second selection terminal is connected to a second transfer circuit that transfers a 5G signal. The switch: when the first antenna is high in antenna sensitivity, connects the first antenna terminal to the first selection terminal, and connects the second antenna terminal to the second selection terminal; and when the second antenna is high in antenna sensitivity, connects the first antenna terminal to the second selection terminal, and connects the second antenna terminal to the first selection terminal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/830,902 filed on Mar. 26, 2020, which is based on and claimspriority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-063341 filed on Mar.28, 2019. The entire disclosures of the above-identified applications,including the specification, drawings and claims are incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a radio-frequency front-end circuitand a communication device that includes the radio-frequency front-endcircuit.

BACKGROUND

Radio-frequency front-end circuits that support multiband and multimodecommunication are required to simultaneously transfer a plurality ofradio-frequency signals with low loss.

Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a receiving module having aconfiguration in which a plurality of filters with different passbandsare connected to an antenna via a multiplexer.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: U.S. Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0127015

SUMMARY Technical Problem

With the receiving module described in PTL 1, it is possible tosimultaneously transfer radio-frequency signals of a plurality ofcommunication bands in a single communication system. In recent years,however, there is a demand that radio-frequency signals besimultaneously transferred in a plurality of different communicationsystems. In a system in which radio-frequency signals of a plurality ofdifferent communication systems are simultaneously transferred, it isdesired, in some cases, that one or some of the different communicationsystems be prioritized in transferring radio-frequency signals, in termsof improving connectivity of a communication line between acommunications partner such as a base station and a terminal including areceiving module such as the one described in PTL 1.

However, with the receiving module described in PTL 1, it is notpossible to preferentially select (optimize) a predeterminedcommunication system among a plurality of communication systems.

In view of the above-described circumstances, the present disclosure isto provide a radio-frequency front-end module and a communication devicewhich, when radio-frequency signals of a plurality of communicationsystems are simultaneously transferred, dynamically optimize signaltransferring according to priorities of the communication systems.

Solution to Problem

A radio-frequency front-end circuit according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure is a radio-frequency front-end circuit forsimultaneously transferring a first radio-frequency signal of a firstcommunication system and a second radio-frequency signal of a secondcommunication system different from the first communication system. Theradio-frequency front-end circuit includes: a first transfer circuitthat transfers the first radio-frequency signal; and a first switch thatincludes a first antenna terminal connected to a first antenna, a secondantenna terminal connected to a second antenna that is different fromthe first antenna, and at least two selection terminals. In theradio-frequency front-end circuit, the at least two selection terminalsof the first switch include a first selection terminal connected to thefirst transfer circuit, and a second selection terminal connected to asecond transfer circuit that transfers the second radio-frequencysignal, and the first switch: when the first antenna is higher inantenna sensitivity than the second antenna, connects the first antennaterminal to the first selection terminal, and connects the secondantenna terminal to the second selection terminal; and when the secondantenna is higher in antenna sensitivity than the first antenna,connects the first antenna terminal to the second selection terminal,and connects the second antenna terminal to the first selectionterminal.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide aradio-frequency front-end circuit and a communication device which, whensimultaneously transferring radio-frequency signals of a plurality ofcommunication systems, dynamically optimize signal transferringaccording to priorities of the communication systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other advantages and features will become apparent from thefollowing description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingDrawings, by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosedherein.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of aradio-frequency front-end circuit and a communication device accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a circuit diagram illustrating a first connected state ofantennas and transfer circuits in the communication device according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a circuit diagram illustrating a second connected state ofantennas and transfer circuits in the communication device according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of aradio-frequency front-end circuit and a communication device accordingto a working example.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement configuration ofantennas in a mobile phone.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between anLTE area and an NSA-NR area in a mobile communication network.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of aradio-frequency front-end circuit and a communication device accordingto Variation 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of aradio-frequency front-end circuit and a communication device accordingto Variation 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of aradio-frequency front-end circuit and a communication device accordingto Variation 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the presentdisclosure with reference to working examples and drawings. It should benoted that each of the embodiment and variations described below shows ageneral or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials,structural components, the arrangement and connection of the structuralcomponents, and so on, shown in the following embodiment and variationsare mere examples, and therefore do not limit the present disclosure.Among the structural components in the following embodiment andvariations, components not recited in the independent claims aredescribed as arbitrary structural components. In addition, the sizes ofstructural components and the ratios of the sizes in the drawings arenot necessarily strictly illustrated.

Embodiment 1. Configurations of Radio-Frequency Font-End Circuit 1 andCommunication Device 5

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration ofradio-frequency front-end circuit 1 and communication device 5 accordingto an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, communication device 5includes radio-frequency front-end circuit 1, transfer circuit 20,antenna 2 a and antenna 2 b, RF signal processing circuit (RFIC) 3, andbaseband signal processing circuit (BBIC) 4.

Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 includes transfer circuit 10 andswitch 30.

Transfer circuit 10 is one example of a first transfer circuit, andtransfers a first radio-frequency signal of a first communicationsystem. Transfer circuit 10 includes transmission and reception terminal110, transmission input terminal 113, reception output terminal 114,filter 11, switch 12, power amplifier 13, and low-noise amplifier 14.

Filter 11 is a band pass filter which has as a passband, for example, afirst communication band of the first communication system, and isconnected between transmission and reception terminal 110 and commonterminal 12 a.

Power amplifier 13 is one example of a first power amplifier, andamplifies a first radio-frequency signal that has been input totransmission input terminal 113. Power amplifier 13 is connected betweentransmission input terminal 113 and selection terminal 12 b.

Low-noise amplifier 14 is one example of a first low-noise amplifier,and amplifies the first radio-frequency signal that has been input totransmission and reception terminal 110. Low-noise amplifier 14 isconnected between selection terminal 12 c and reception output terminal114.

Power amplifier 13 and low-noise amplifier 14 include, for example, a Sicomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a field-effecttransistor (FET), a hetero bipolar transistor (HBT), etc., which includeGaAs as a material.

Switch 12 is one example of a transmission and reception selectorswitch, and is a switching circuit which includes common terminal 12 aand selection terminals 12 b and 12 c, and exclusively switches betweenconnecting common terminal 12 a to selection terminal 12 b andconnecting common terminal 12 a to selection terminal 12 c.

With the above-described configuration, when common terminal 12 a andselection terminal 12 b are connected, transfer circuit 10 outputs thefirst radio-frequency signal amplified by power amplifier 13 towardantennas 2 a and 2 b via switch 12 and filter 11. In contrast, whencommon terminal 12 a and selection terminal 12 c are connected, transfercircuit 10 amplifies, by low-noise amplifier 14, the firstradio-frequency signal that has been received by antennas 2 a or 2 b andhas passed through filter 11 and switch 12, and outputs the amplifiedfirst radio-frequency signal toward RFIC 3. More specifically, transfercircuit 10 executes transmission and reception of the firstradio-frequency signals in a time division duplex (TDD) system, throughthe switching operation performed by switch 12.

It should be noted that transfer circuit 10 may execute transmission andreception of the first radio-frequency signals in a frequency divisionduplex (FDD) system. In this case, a duplexer which includes atransmission filter and a reception filter is disposed instead of filter11 and switch 12.

Transfer circuit 20 is one example of a second transfer circuit, andtransfers a second radio-frequency signal of a second communicationsystem that is a system different from the first communication system.Transfer circuit 20 includes transmission and reception terminal 120,transmission input terminal 123, reception output terminal 124, filter21, switch 22, power amplifier 23, and low-noise amplifier 24.

Filter 21 is a bandpass filter which has as a passband, for example, asecond communication band of the second communication system, and isconnected between transmission and reception terminal 120 and commonterminal 22 a.

Power amplifier 23 is one example of a second power amplifier, andamplifies a second radio-frequency signal that has been input totransmission input terminal 123. Power amplifier 23 is connected betweentransmission input terminal 123 and selection terminal 22 b.

Low-noise amplifier 24 is one example of a second low-noise amplifier,and amplifies the second radio-frequency signal that has been input totransmission and reception terminal 120. Low-noise amplifier 24 isconnected between selection terminal 22 c and reception output terminal124.

Power amplifier 23 and low-noise amplifier 24 include, for example, anSi CMOS or a field-effect transistor (FET), a hetero bipolar transistor(HBT), etc. which include GaAs as a material.

Switch 22 is one example of a transmission and reception selectorswitch, and is a switching circuit which includes common terminal 22 aand selection terminals 22 b and 22 c, and exclusively switches betweenconnecting common terminal 22 a to selection terminal 22 b andconnecting common terminal 22 a to selection terminal 22 c.

With the above-described configuration, when common terminal 22 a andselection terminal 22 b are connected, transfer circuit 20 outputs thesecond radio-frequency signal amplified by power amplifier 23 towardantennas 2 a and 2 b via switch 22 and filter 21. In contrast, whencommon terminal 22 a and selection terminal 22 c are connected, transfercircuit 20 amplifies, by low-noise amplifier 24, the secondradio-frequency signal that has been received by antennas 2 a or 2 b andhas passed through filter 21 and switch 22, and outputs the amplifiedsecond radio-frequency signal toward RFIC 3. More specifically, transfercircuit 20 executes transmission and reception of the secondradio-frequency signal in a time division duplex (TDD) system, throughthe switching operation performed by switch 22.

It should be noted that transfer circuit 20 may execute transmission andreception of the second radio-frequency signals in a frequency divisionduplex (FDD) system. In this case, a duplexer which includes atransmission filter and a reception filter is disposed, instead offilter 21 and switch 22.

In radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 and communication device 5according to the embodiment, the second radio-frequency signal of thesecond communication system includes user data of the secondcommunication system. In addition, the first radio-frequency signal ofthe first communication system includes communication control data forenabling user data of the second communication system to be transferredby transfer circuit 20 and user data of the first communication system.

Switch 30 is one example of a first switch, and includes antennaterminals 30 a (a first antenna terminal) and 30 b (a second antennaterminal), and selection terminals 30 c (a first selection terminal) and30 d (a second selection terminal). Antenna terminal 30 a is connectedto antenna 2 a, and antenna terminal 30 b is connected to antenna 2 b.In addition, selection terminal 30 c is connected to transfer circuit10, and selection terminal 30 d is connected to transfer circuit 20. Itshould be noted that, although two selection terminals, namely,selection terminals 30 c and 30 d, have been exemplified above, thetotal number of the selection terminals is not limited to two, and maybe three or more.

In switch 30, selection between conduction of antenna terminal 30 a withselection terminal 30 c and conduction of antenna terminal 30 a withselection terminal 30 d is exclusively carried out, and selectionbetween conduction of antenna terminal 30 b with selection terminal 30 cand conduction of antenna terminal 30 b with selection terminal 30 d isexclusively carried out.

Switch 30 is, for example, a switching circuit of the double pole doublethrow (DPDT) type, and includes antenna terminals 30 a and 30 b andselection terminals 30 c and 30 d. It should be noted that switch 30 maybe a switching circuit such as DP3T and DP4T. In this case, terminalsaccording to the number of transfer circuits to be connected are used.Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 may further include transfer circuit20 in addition to transfer circuit 10 and switch 30. Whenradio-frequency front-end circuit 1 includes both transfer circuits 10and 20, transfer circuits 10 and 20 may be mounted on a single mountingboard or in a single package.

The above-described configurations of radio-frequency front-end circuit1 and transfer circuit 20 enable the first radio-frequency signal of thefirst communication system and the second radio-frequency signal of thesecond communication system to be simultaneously transferred. Morespecifically, for example, common terminal 12 a and selection terminal12 b of switch 12 are connected, common terminal 22 a and selectionterminal 22 b of switch 22 are connected, antenna terminal 30 a andselection terminal 30 c of switch 30 are connected, and antenna terminal30 b and selection terminal 30 d of switch 30 are connected, therebyenabling the first radio-frequency signal of the first communicationsystem and the second radio-frequency signal of the second communicationsystem to be in a state of transmission at a same point in time. Inaddition, for example, common terminal 12 a and selection terminal 12 cof switch 12 are connected, common terminal 22 a and selection terminal22 c of switch 22 are connected, antenna terminal 30 a and selectionterminal 30 c of switch 30 are connected, and antenna terminal 30 b andselection terminal 30 d of switch 30 are connected, thereby enabling thefirst radio-frequency signal of the first communication system and thesecond radio-frequency signal of the second communication system to bein a state of reception at a same point in time.

It should be noted that transfer circuits 10 and 20 may each be acircuit capable of either transmitting or receiving a radio-frequencysignal.

When transfer circuit 10 performs only transmission of the firstradio-frequency signal, it is sufficient if transfer circuit 10 includesat least power amplifier 13. When transfer circuit 20 performs onlytransmission of the second radio-frequency signal, it is sufficient iftransfer circuit 20 includes at least power amplifier 23. With theabove-described configurations of transfer circuits 10 and 20, it ispossible to enable the first radio-frequency signal of the firstcommunication system and the second radio-frequency signal of the secondcommunication system to be in a state of transmission at a same point intime.

On the other hand, when transfer circuit 10 performs only reception ofthe first radio-frequency signal, it is sufficient if transfer circuit10 includes at least low-noise amplifier 14. When transfer circuit 20performs only reception of the second radio-frequency signal, it issufficient if transfer circuit 20 includes at least low-noise amplifier24. With the above-described configurations of transfer circuits 10 and20, it is possible to enable the first radio-frequency signal of thefirst communication system and the second radio-frequency signal of thesecond communication system to be in a state of reception at a samepoint in time.

Antenna 2 a is one example of the first antenna. Antenna 2 a isconnected to antenna terminal 30 a of switch 30, and emits or receivesthe first radio-frequency signal and the second radio-frequency signal.Antenna 2 b is one example of the second antenna. Antenna 2 b isconnected to antenna terminal 30 b of switch 30, and emits or receivesthe first radio-frequency signal and the second radio-frequency signal.

RFIC 3 is an RF signal processing circuit that processes the firstradio-frequency signal and the second radio-frequency signal. Morespecifically, RFIC 3 performs signal processing, by up-conversion, etc.,on a signal to be transmitted that has been input from BBIC 4, andoutputs, to transfer circuits 10 and 20, a radio-frequency signal to betransmitted that has been generated by the signal processing. Inaddition, RFIC 3 includes a controller that outputs, to switch 30,control signal Ctrl1 for switching the connected state of switch 30,based on superiority or inferiority of antenna sensitivities of antennas2 a and 2 b. Moreover, the above-described controller may output, toswitch 12, a control signal for switching between a transmission modeand a reception mode of transfer circuit 10, and output, to switch 22, acontrol signal for switching between a transmission mode and a receptionmode of transfer circuit 20.

BBIC 4 is a circuit that performs signal processing using anintermediate frequency band having a lower frequency than a frequencyband of the radio-frequency signal that is transferred through transfercircuits 10 and 20. The signal processed by BBIC 4 is, for example, usedas an image signal for image display or as a sound signal for telephoneconversation via a speaker.

RFIC 3 and BBIC 4 are each a signal processing circuit that processes aradio-frequency signal. The above-described controller may be includedin BBIC 4.

With the above-described configuration, switch 30 switches connectionsbetween transfer circuits 10 and 20 and antennas 2 a and 2 b accordingto superiority or inferiority of antenna sensitivities of antennas 2 aand 2 b.

FIG. 1B is a circuit diagram illustrating a first connected state ofantennas 2 a and 2 b and transfer circuits 10 and 20 in communicationdevice 5 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1C is a circuit diagramillustrating a second connected state of antennas 2 a and 2 b andtransfer circuits 10 and 20 in communication device 5 according to theembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, when antenna 2 a is higher in antennasensitivity than antenna 2 b, switch 30 connects antenna terminal 30 ato selection terminal 30 c to which transfer circuit 10 is connected,and connects antenna terminal 30 b to selection terminal 30 d to whichtransfer circuit 20 is connected. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, whenantenna 2 b is higher in antenna sensitivity than antenna 2 a, switch 30connects antenna terminal 30 a to selection terminal 30 d to whichtransfer circuit 20 is connected, and connects antenna terminal 30 b toselection terminal 30 c to which transfer circuit 10 is connected.

According to the above-described configuration, transfer circuit 10 isin a state of being connected to an antenna having a high antennasensitivity while at the same time transfer circuit 20 is in a state ofbeing connected to an antenna having low antenna sensitivity, and thusconnection reliability of the first communication system that is to beused for a priority connection is improved. In other words, whensimultaneously communicating radio-frequency signals of mutuallydifferent communication systems such as the first communication systemand the second communication system, it is possible to dynamicallyoptimize connection between transfer circuits 10 and 20 and antennas 2 aand 2 b according to priority of signal transferring.

It should be noted that, in radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 andcommunication device 5 according to the embodiment, the secondradio-frequency signal of the second communication system may include asignal indicating user data of the second communication system, and thefirst radio-frequency signal of the first communication system mayinclude a signal indicating communication control data for enabling theuser data of the second communication system to be transferred viatransfer circuit 20. The first radio-frequency signal of the firstcommunication system may include a signal indicating user data of thefirst communication system in addition to the above-describedcommunication control data.

Some applications may require simultaneously performing datacommunication of the first communication system and data communicationof the second communication system between a base station(communications partner) and a mobile terminal including communicationdevice 5 (radio-frequency front-end circuit 1). In performing this, whencommunication control data for enabling the user data of the secondcommunication system to be transferred via transfer circuit 20 isincluded in the first radio-frequency signal of the first communicationsystem, connectivity between the communications partner and the mobileterminal is improved by placing a priority on wireless connectionbetween the communications partner and transfer circuit 10 over wirelessconnection between the communications partner and transfer circuit 20.

According to the above-described configuration, transfer circuit 10 isconnected to an antenna having a high antenna sensitivity and transfercircuit 20 is connected to an antenna having a low antenna sensitivity,and thus connection reliability of the first communication system thatis to be used for the priority connection is improved. In other words,when simultaneously communicating radio-frequency signals of mutuallydifferent communication systems such as the first communication systemand the second communication system, it is possible to dynamicallyoptimize connection between transfer circuits 10 and 20 and antennas 2 aand 2 b according to priority of signal transferring. Accordingly,connectivity of a communication line between a communications partnersuch as a base station and a mobile terminal including radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1 (communication device 5) is improved.

2. Configurations of Radio-Frequency Font-End Circuit 1A andCommunication Device 5A According to a Working Example

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration ofradio-frequency font-end circuit 1A and communication device 5Aaccording to a working example. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1A andcommunication device 5A are one working examples of radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1 and communication device 5 of the embodiment,respectively, in which the fourth generation communication system (4G)is applied as the first communication system, and the fifth generationcommunication system (5G) is applied as the second communication system.In the following, description of the configurations of radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A according to theworking example that are the same as the configurations ofradio-frequency front-end circuit 1 and communication device 5 accordingto the embodiment will be omitted, and description will be centered on adifferent configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, communication device 5A includesradio-frequency front-end circuit 1A, antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, 2Sa, and 2Sb,RFIC 3, and BBIC 4.

Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1A includes transfer circuits 10 and20, reception circuits 40 and 50, switches 30 and 60, and couplers 71and 72.

Transfer circuit 10 is one example of a first transfer circuit, andtransfers a first radio-frequency signal of the first communicationsystem. In the working example, the first communication system is the4G, and the first radio-frequency signal is a signal of a long termevolution (LTE) communication band.

Transfer circuit 20 is one example of a second transfer circuit, andtransfers a second radio-frequency signal of the second communicationsystem. In the working example, the second communication system is the5G, and the second radio-frequency signal is a signal of a new radio(NR) communication band.

Here, transfer circuit 10 transfers, for example, a firstradio-frequency signal of 4G (LTE) Band 41 (transmission and receptionband: 2496 MHz to 2690 MHz, the first communication band). In this case,filter 11 is a filter having, as a passband, a transmission andreception band of the 4G (LTE) Band 41. Transfer circuit 20 transfers,for example, a second radio-frequency signal of 5G (NR) n 41(transmission and reception band: 2496 MHz to 2690 MHz, the secondcommunication band). In this case, filter 21 is a filter having, as apassband, a transmission and reception band of the 5G (NR) n 41.

More specifically, transfer circuit 10 transfers radio-frequency signalsof the first communication band stipulated in 4G, and transfer circuit20 transfers radio-frequency signals of the second communication bandthat is stipulated in 5G and has a frequency range same as a frequencyrange of the first communication band. According to this configuration,even when the frequency bands of radio-frequency signals transferred bytransfer circuits 10 and 20 at least partially overlap, transfercircuits 10 and 20 are respectively connected to antennas 2Pa and 2Pbwhich are different from each other, and thus it is possible tosimultaneously transfer the radio-frequency signal of transfer circuit10 and the radio-frequency signal of transfer circuit 20. It should benoted that the communication band for transferring via transfer circuit10 may be different from the communication band for transferring viatransfer circuit 20.

Switch 30 is one example of the first switch, and includes antennaterminals 30 a (the first antenna terminal) and 30 b (the second antennaterminal), and selection terminals 30 c (the first selection terminal)and 30 d (the second selection terminal). Antenna terminal 30 a isconnected to antenna 2Pa, and antenna terminal 30 b is connected toantenna 2Pb. In addition, selection terminal 30 c is connected totransmission circuit 10, and selection terminal 30 d is connected totransmission circuit 20. It should be noted that, although two selectionterminals, namely, selection terminals 30 c and 30 d, have beenexemplified above, the total number of selection terminals is notlimited to two, and may be three or more.

Reception circuit 40 is one example of the first reception circuit, andtransfers a first reception signal of the first communication system.Reception circuit 40 includes an input terminal, an output terminal,filter 42, and low-noise amplifier 44.

Filter 42 is a bandpass filter which has as a passband, for example, a4G (LTE) first communication band, and is connected between the inputterminal and low-noise amplifier 44.

Low-noise amplifier 44 preferentially amplifies, for example, a firstreception signal of the 4G (LTE) first communication band. Low-noiseamplifier 44 is connected between filter 42 and the output terminal.

Reception circuit 50 is one example of the second reception circuit, andtransfers a second reception signal of the second communication system.Reception circuit 50 includes an input terminal, an output terminal,filter 52, and low-noise amplifier 54.

Filter 52 is a bandpass filter which has as a passband, for example, a5G (NR) second communication band, and is connected between the inputterminal and low-noise amplifier 54.

Low-noise amplifier 54 preferentially amplifies, for example, a secondreception signal of the 5G (NR) second communication band. Low-noiseamplifier 54 is connected between filter 52 and the output terminal.

Reception circuits 40 and 50 serve as, for example, diversity circuits,and reception circuit 40 receives, for example, a first reception signalof 4G (LTE) Band 41. In this case, filter 42 is a filter having, as apassband, a transmission and reception band of 4G (LTE) Band 41. Inaddition, reception circuit 50 receives, for example, a second receptionsignal of 5G (NR) n 41. In this case, filter 52 is a filter having, as apassband, a transmission and reception band of 5G (NR) n 41.

Switch 60 is one example of the second switch, and includes antennaterminals 60 a (the third antenna terminal) and 60 b (the fourth antennaterminal), and selection terminals 60 c (the third selection terminal)and 60 d (the fourth selection terminal). Antenna terminal 60 a isconnected to antenna 2Sa, and antenna terminal 60 b is connected toantenna 2Sb. In addition, selection terminal 60 c is connected toreception circuit 40, and selection terminal 60 d is connected toreception circuit 50. It should be noted that, although two selectionterminals, namely, selection terminals 60 c and 60 d, have beenexemplified above, the total number of selection terminals is notlimited to two, and may be three or more.

Switch 60 is, for example, a DPDT switching circuit, and includesantenna terminals 60 a and 60 b and selection terminals 60 c and 60 d.It should be noted that switch 60 may be a DP3T switching circuit or aDP4T switching circuit. In this case, terminals according to the totalnumber of transmission circuits to be connected are used.

Antenna 2Pa is one example of a first antenna and connected to antennaterminal 30 a of switch 30, and antenna 2Pb is one example of a secondantenna and connected to antenna terminal 30 b of switch 30. Antennas2Pa and 2Pb emit or receive 4G or 5G radio-frequency signals.

Antenna 2Sa is one example of a third antenna and connected to antennaterminal 60 a of switch 60, and antenna 2Sb is one example of a fourthantenna and connected to antenna terminal 60 b of switch 60. Antennas2Sa and 2Sb receive 4G or 5G radio-frequency signals.

It should be noted that antennas 2Pa and 2Pb are primary antennas whichare used in preference to antennas 2Sa and 2Sb in view of an antennaperformance, etc. In contrast, antennas 2Sa and 2Sb are secondaryantennas for receiving only.

Coupler 71 is disposed in a path connecting transfer circuit 10 andselection terminal 30 c of switch 30, and measures a transmission powervalue of the first radio-frequency signal that has been output fromtransfer circuit 10. The transmission power value of the firstradio-frequency signal that has been measured is transferred to acontroller of RFIC 3. It should be noted that when selection terminal 30c and antenna terminal 30 a are connected, the greater the transmissionpower value measured by coupler 71 is, the lower the antenna sensitivityof antenna 2Pa for the first radio-frequency signal is, and the smallerthe transmission power value measured by coupler 71 is, the higher theantenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pa for the first radio-frequency signalis. In addition, when selection terminal 30 c and antenna terminal 30 bare connected, the greater the transmission power value measured bycoupler 71 is, the lower the antenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pb for thefirst radio-frequency signal is, and the smaller the transmission powervalue measured by coupler 71 is, the higher the antenna sensitivity ofantenna 2Pb for the first radio-frequency signal is.

It should be noted that coupler 71 may be disposed in the pathconnecting antenna terminal 30 a of switch 30 and antenna 2Pa. In thiscase, coupler 71 measures a transmission power value of the firstradio-frequency signal output from transfer circuit 10 or a transmissionpower value of the second radio-frequency signal output from transfercircuit 20, according to the connected state of switch 30.

Coupler 72 is disposed in a path connecting transfer circuit 20 andselection terminal 30 d of switch 30, and measures a transmission powervalue of the second radio-frequency signal that has been output fromtransfer circuit 20. The transmission power value of the secondradio-frequency signal that has been measured is transferred to acontroller of

RFIC 3. It should be noted that when selection terminal 30 d and antennaterminal 30 b are connected, the greater the transmission power valuemeasured by coupler 72 is, the lower the antenna sensitivity of antenna2Pb for the second radio-frequency signal is, and the smaller thetransmission power value measured by coupler 72 is, the higher theantenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pb for the second radio-frequency signalis. In addition, when selection terminal 30 d and antenna terminal 30 aare connected, the greater the transmission power value measured bycoupler 72 is, the lower the antenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pa for thesecond radio-frequency signal is, and the smaller the transmission powervalue measured by coupler 72 is, the higher the antenna sensitivity ofantenna 2Pa for the second radio-frequency signal is.

It should be noted that coupler 72 may be disposed in the pathconnecting antenna terminal 30 b of switch 30 and antenna 2Pb. In thiscase, coupler 72 measures a transmission power value of the firstradio-frequency signal output from transfer circuit 10 or a transmissionpower value of the second radio-frequency signal output from transfercircuit 20, according to the connected state of switch 30.

In the above-described configuration, switch 30 switches connectionsbetween transfer circuits 10 and 20 and antennas 2Pa and 2Pb accordingto superiority or inferiority of antenna sensitivities of antennas 2Paand 2Pb. When antenna 2Pa is higher in antenna sensitivity than antenna2Pb, switch 30 connects antenna terminal 30 a to selection terminal 30c, and connects antenna terminal 30 b to selection terminal 30 d. Whenantenna 2Pb is higher in antenna sensitivity than antenna 2Pa, switch 30connects selection terminal 30 d to antenna terminal 30 a, and connectsselection terminal 30 c to antenna terminal 30 b.

More specifically, when it is determined that antenna 2Pa is higher inantenna sensitivity than antenna 2Pb on the basis of a transmissionpower value of the first radio-frequency signal and a transmission powervalue of the second radio-frequency signal which have been transferredfrom couplers 71 and 72, the controller of RFIC 3 outputs, to switch 30,control signal Ctrl1 for implementing the following connected state. Inthis case, control signal Ctrl1 is a signal for connecting antennaterminal 30 a to selection terminal 30 c, and connecting antennaterminal 30 b to selection terminal 30 d. In addition, when it isdetermined that antenna 2Pb is higher in antenna sensitivity thanantenna 2Pa on the basis of a transmission power value of the firstradio-frequency signal and a transmission power value of the secondradio-frequency signal which have been transferred from couplers 71 and72, the controller of RFIC 3 outputs, to switch 30, control signal Ctrl1for implementing the following connected state. In this case, controlsignal Ctrl1 is a signal for connecting antenna terminal 30 a toselection terminal 30 d, and connecting antenna terminal 30 b toselection terminal 30c.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement configuration ofantennas in mobile phone 6. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustratinga relationship between an LTE area and a Non-Standalone-New Radio(NSA-NR) area in a mobile communication network.

NSA-NR is a communication architecture that is in the process of beingintroduced in recent years. As illustrated in FIG. 4, NSA-NR is atechnique with which a 5G (NR) communication area is established in a 4G(LTE) communication area, and communications of both sides of 5G (NR)and 4G (LTE) are controlled by a control channel of the 4G side. NSA isstipulated in, for example, TR38.801 that is a technical report on thenetwork architecture.

Accordingly, NSA-NR, relies on simultaneously connecting the 4G transfercircuit and the 5G transfer circuit to the communication line, with 4G(LTE) being the master and 5G (NR) being the slave (LTE-NR dualconnectivity: EN-DC). In order to implement this, with communicationdevice 5A according to the working example, transfer circuit 10 for 4G(LTE) is connected to one of two antennas 2Pa and 2Pb, and transfercircuit 20 for 5G (NR) is connected to the other of the two antennas.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, four antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, 2Sa, and 2Sb, forexample, are arranged respectively at four corners of mobile phone 6 inconsideration of mutual interference. However, the above-described fourantennas change in characteristics according to the location environment(e.g., hand contact or proximity of a metal body) of mobile phone 6. Forthat reason, when the antenna sensitivity of an antenna connected totransfer circuit 10 that transfers a 4G (LTE) radio-frequency signalincluding 5G (NR) communication control data deteriorates, communicationconnectivity of not only transfer circuit 10 for 4G (LTE) but alsotransfer circuit 20 for 5G (NR) deteriorates.

In contrast, with the above-described configurations of radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A according to theworking example, transfer circuit 10 for 4G (LTE) is connect to anantenna which is high in antenna sensitivity and transfer circuit 20 for5G

(NR) is connected to an antenna which is low in antenna sensitivity.Accordingly, connection reliability of the 4G (LTE) that is to be usedfor the priority connection is improved. In other words, whensimultaneously transferring radio-frequency signals of mutuallydifferent 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR), it is possible to dynamically optimizeconnection between transfer circuits and antennas according to thepriority of signal transferring and the superiority or inferiority ofantenna sensitivities. Accordingly, the connectivity of a communicationline between a communications partner such as a base station and amobile terminal including the above-described radio-frequency front-endcircuit is improved.

It should be noted that, in radio-frequency front-end circuit 1A andcommunication device 5A according to the working example, when it isdetermined that antenna 2Pa is higher in antenna sensitivity thanantenna 2Pb on the basis of a reception power value of the firstradio-frequency signal and a reception power value of the secondradio-frequency signal which have been obtained by a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) included in RFIC 3, the controller of RFIC 3may output, to switch 30, control signal Ctrl1 for implementing thefollowing connected state. In this case, control signal Ctrl1 is asignal for connecting antenna terminal 30 a to selection terminal 30 c,and connecting antenna terminal 30 b to selection terminal 30 d. Inaddition, when it is determined that antenna 2Pb is higher in antennasensitivity than antenna 2Pa on the basis of a reception power value ofthe first radio-frequency signal and a reception power value of thesecond radio-frequency signal which have been obtained by the RSSI, thecontroller of RFIC 3 may output, to switch 30, control signal Ctrl1 forimplementing the following connected state. In this case, control signalCtrl1 is a signal for connecting antenna terminal 30 a to selectionterminal 30 d, and connecting antenna terminal 30 b to selectionterminal 30 c.

In addition, switching connections between transfer circuits 10 and 20and antennas 2Pa and 2Pb which are primary antennas in radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A according to theworking example has been described. Instead of this, in radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A according to theworking example, connections between reception circuits 40 and 50 andantennas 2Sa and 2Sb which are secondary antennas may be switchedaccording to superiority or inferiority in antenna sensitivity ofantennas 2Sa and 2Sb.

More specifically, when antenna 2Sa is higher in antenna sensitivitythan antenna 2Sb, switch 60 connects antenna terminal 60 a to selectionterminal 60 c, and connects antenna terminal 60 b to selection terminal60 d. In contrast, when antenna 2Sb is higher in antenna sensitivitythan antenna 2Sa, switch 60 connects antenna terminal 60 a to selectionterminal 60 d, and connects antenna terminal 60 b to selection terminal60 c.

More specifically, when it is determined that antenna 2Sa is higher inantenna sensitivity than antenna 2Sb on the basis of a reception powervalue of the first reception signal and a reception power value of thesecond reception signal which have been obtained by the RSSI included inRFIC 3, the controller of RFIC 3 outputs, to switch 60, control signalCtrl2 for implementing the following connected state. In this case,control signal Ctrl2 is a signal for connecting antenna terminal 60 a toselection terminal 60 c, and connecting antenna terminal 60 b toselection terminal 60 d. In contrast, when it is determined that antenna2Sb is higher in antenna sensitivity than antenna 2Sa on the basis of areception power value of the first reception signal and a receptionpower value of the second reception signal which have been obtained bythe RSSI included in RFIC 3, the controller of RFIC 3 outputs, to switch60, control signal Ctrl2 for implementing the following connected state.In this case, control signal Ctrl2 is a signal for connecting antennaterminal 60 a to selection terminal 60 d, and connecting antennaterminal 60 b to selection terminal 60 c.

In this manner, reception circuit 40 for 4G (LTE) is connected to thesecondary antenna which is high in antenna sensitivity, and receptioncircuit 50 for 5G (NR) is connected to the secondary antenna which islow in antenna sensitivity, and thus the connection reliability of 4G(LTE) that is to be used for the priority connection is improved. Inother words, when simultaneously receiving radio-frequency signals ofmutually different 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR), it is possible to dynamicallyoptimize connection between reception circuits and antennas according tothe priority of signal reception and the superiority or inferiority ofantenna sensitivities. Accordingly, the connectivity of a communicationline between a communications partner such as a base station and amobile terminal including the above-described radio-frequency front-endcircuit is improved.

3. Configurations of Radio-Frequency Font-End Circuit 1B andCommunication Device 5B According to Variation 1

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration ofradio-frequency font-end circuit 1B and communication device 5Baccording to Variation 1. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1B andcommunication device 5B according to the present variation are oneworking examples of radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 andcommunication device 5 according to the embodiment. In radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1B and communication device 5B, 4G is applied as thefirst communication system and 5G is applied as the second communicationsystem. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1B and communication device 5Baccording to the present variation are different in the configuration ofthe second transfer circuit from radio-frequency front-end circuit 1Aand communication device 5A according to the working example. In thefollowing, description of the configurations of radio-frequencyfront-end circuit 1B and communication device 5B according to thepresent variation that are the same as the configurations ofradio-frequency front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5Aaccording to the working example will be omitted, and description willbe centered on a different configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, communication device 5B includesradio-frequency front-end circuit 1B, antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, 2Sa, and 2Sb,RFIC 3, and BBIC 4. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1B includestransfer circuits 10 and 20B, reception circuits 40 and 50, switches 30and 60, and couplers 71 and 72.

Transfer circuit 10 is one example of the first transfer circuit, andtransfers a first radio-frequency signal of the first communicationsystem. In the present variation, the first communication system is the4G, and the first radio-frequency signal is a signal of an LTEcommunication band.

Filter 11 is a bandpass filter which has, as a passband, a firstcommunication band of the first communication system, and is connectedbetween a transmission and reception terminal and switch 12.

Power amplifier 13 is one example of the first power amplifier, andamplifies a first transmission signal that has been input to thetransmission input terminal. Power amplifier 13 is connected between thetransmission input terminal and switch 12.

Low-noise amplifier 14 is one example of the first low-noise amplifier,and amplifies a first reception signal that has been input to thetransmission and reception terminal. Power amplifier 14 is connectedbetween switch 12 and a reception input terminal.

Switch 12 is one example of the transmission and reception selectorswitch, and is a switching circuit which exclusively switches betweenconnecting a common terminal to one of selection terminals andconnecting the common terminal to the other of the selection terminals.

Transfer circuit 20B is one example of the second transfer circuit, andtransfers a second radio-frequency signal of the second communicationsystem. In the present variation, the second communication system is the5G, and the second radio-frequency signal is a signal of an NRcommunication band. Transfer circuit 20B includes a transmission andreception terminal, a transmission input terminal, a reception outputterminal, duplexer 25, power amplifier 23, and low-noise amplifier 24.

Duplexer 25 includes transmission filter 25T and reception filter 25R.Transmission filter 25T is a bandpass filter which has, as a passband, atransmission band of the second communication band of the secondcommunication system, includes an input terminal connected to an outputterminal of power amplifier 23, and includes an output terminalconnected to selection terminal 30 d via the transmission and receptionterminal.

Reception filter 25R is a bandpass filter which has, as a passband, areception band of the second communication band of the secondcommunication system, includes an input terminal connected to selectionterminal 30 d via the transmission and reception terminal, and includesan output terminal connected to an input terminal of low-noise amplifier24.

Power amplifier 23 is one example of the second power amplifier, andamplifies a second transmission signal that has been input to thetransmission input terminal.

Low-noise amplifier 24 is one example of the second low-noise amplifier,and amplifies the second reception signal that has been input to thetransmission and reception terminal.

With the above-described configuration, transfer circuit 20B outputs thesecond transmission signal that has been amplified by power amplifier23, toward antennas 2 a and 2 b via transmission filter 25T. Inaddition, transfer circuit 20B amplifies, by low-noise amplifier 24, thesecond reception signal that has been received by antennas 2 a or 2 band has passed through reception filter 25R, and outputs the amplifiedsecond reception signal toward RFIC 3. Accordingly, transfer circuit 20Bexecutes transmission of the second transmission signal and reception ofthe second reception signal in a frequency division duplex system (FDD).

Switch 30 is one example of the first switch, and includes antennaterminals 30 a (the first antenna terminal) and 30 b (the second antennaterminal), and selection terminals 30 c (the first selection terminal)and 30 d (the second selection terminal). Antenna terminal 30 a isconnected to antenna 2 a, and antenna terminal 30 b is connected toantenna 2 b. In addition, selection terminal 30 c is connected totransfer circuit 10, and selection terminal 30 d is connected totransfer circuit 20B. It should be noted that, although two selectionterminals, namely, selection terminals 30 c and 30 d, have beenexemplified above, the total number of selection terminals is notlimited to two, and may be three or more.

In switch 30, selection between conduction of antenna terminal 30 a withselection terminal 30 c and conduction of antenna terminal 30 a withselection terminal 30 d is exclusively performed, and selection betweenconduction of antenna terminal 30 b with selection terminal 30 c andconduction of antenna terminal 30 b with selection terminal 30 d isexclusively performed.

With the above-described configuration, switch 30 switches connectionsbetween transfer circuits 10 and 20B and antennas 2Pa and 2Pb accordingto superiority or inferiority of antenna sensitivities of antennas 2Paand 2Pb. When antenna 2Pa is higher in antenna sensitivity than antenna2Pb, switch 30 connects antenna terminal 30 a to selection terminal 30c, and connects antenna terminal 30 b to selection terminal 30d. Whenantenna 2Pb is higher in antenna sensitivity than antenna 2Pa, switch 30connects antenna terminal 30 a to selection terminal 30 d, and connectsantenna terminal 30 b to selection terminal 30 c.

More specifically, when it is determined that antenna 2Pa is higher inantenna sensitivity than antenna 2Pb on the basis of a transmissionpower value of the first transmission signal and a transmission powervalue of the second transmission signal which have been transferred fromcouplers 71 and 72, the controller of RFIC 3 outputs, to switch 30,control signal Ctrl1 for implementing the following connected state. Inthis case, control signal Ctrl1 is a signal for connecting antennaterminal 30 a to selection terminal 30 c, and connecting antennaterminal 30 b to selection terminal 30 d. In contrast, when it isdetermined that antenna 2Pb is higher in antenna sensitivity thanantenna 2Pa on the basis of a transmission power value of the firsttransmission signal and a transmission power value of the secondtransmission signal which have been transferred from couplers 71 and 72,the controller of RFIC 3 outputs, to switch 30, control signal Ctrl1 forimplementing the following connected state. In this case, control signalCtrl1 is a signal for connecting antenna terminal 30 a to selectionterminal 30 d, and connecting antenna terminal 30 b to selectionterminal 30c.

It should be noted that, in radio-frequency front-end circuit 1B andcommunication device 5B according to the present variation, when it isdetermined that antenna 2Pa is higher in antenna sensitivity thanantenna 2Pb on the basis of a reception power value of the firstreception signal and a reception power value of the second receptionsignal which have been obtained by the RSSI included in RFIC 3, thecontroller of RFIC 3 may output, to switch 30, control signal Ctrl1 forimplementing the following connected state. In this case, control signalCtrl1 is a signal for connecting antenna terminal 30 a to selectionterminal 30 c, and connecting antenna terminal 30 b to selectionterminal 30 d. In addition, when it is determined that antenna 2Pb ishigher in antenna sensitivity than antenna 2Pa on the basis of areception power value of the first reception signal and a receptionpower value of the second reception signal which have been obtained bythe RSSI, the controller of RFIC 3 may output, to switch 30, controlsignal Ctrl1 for implementing the following connected state. In thiscase, control signal Ctrl1 is a signal for connecting antenna terminal30 a to selection terminal 30 d, and connecting antenna terminal 30 b toselection terminal 30 c.

With the above-described configurations of radio-frequency front-endcircuit 1B and communication device 5B according to the presentvariation, transfer circuit 10 for 4G (LTE) is connected to an antennawhich is high in antenna sensitivity and transfer circuit 20B for 5G(NR) is connected to an antenna which is low in antenna sensitivity.Accordingly, connection reliability of 4G (LTE) that is to be used forthe priority connection is improved. In other words, when simultaneouslytransferring radio-frequency signals of mutually different 4G (LTE) and5G (NR), it is possible to dynamically optimize connection betweentransfer circuits and antennas according to the priority of signaltransferring and the superiority or inferiority of antennasensitivities. Accordingly, the connectivity of a communication linebetween a communications partner such as a base station and a mobileterminal including the above-described radio-frequency front-end circuitis improved.

It should be noted that, in radio-frequency front-end circuit 1B andcommunication device 5B according to the present variation, connectionsbetween reception circuits 40 and 50 and antennas 2Sa and 2Sb which aresecondary antennas may be switched according to superiority orinferiority in antenna sensitivities of antennas 2Sa and 2Sb, in thesame manner as radio-frequency front-end circuit 1A and communicationdevice 5A according to the working example.

In addition, a configuration in which the first transfer circuit thattransfers a radio-frequency signal of the first communication systemexecutes transmission and reception in the TDD system, and the secondtransfer circuit that transfers a radio-frequency signal of the secondcommunication system executes transmission and reception in the FDDsystem, in radio-frequency front-end circuit 1B and communication device5B according to the present variation, has been described hereinbefore.However, the radio-frequency front-end circuit and the communicationdevice according to the present disclosure may have a configuration inwhich the first transfer circuit that transfers a radio-frequency signalof the first communication system executes transmission and reception inthe FDD system, and the second transfer circuit that transfers aradio-frequency signal of the second communication system executestransmission and reception in the TDD system. Furthermore, theradio-frequency front-end circuit and the communication device accordingto the present disclosure may have a configuration in which the firsttransfer circuit that transfers a radio-frequency signal of the firstcommunication system executes transmission and reception in the FDDsystem, and the second transfer circuit that transfers a radio-frequencysignal of the second communication system executes transmission andreception in the FDD system.

With these configurations as well, the first transfer circuit for 4G(LTE) is connected to an antenna which is high in antenna sensitivity,and the second transfer circuit for 5G (NR) is connected to an antennawhich is low in antenna sensitivity, and thus the connection reliabilityof 4G (LTE) that is to be used for the priority connection is improved.More specifically, when simultaneously transferring radio-frequencysignals of mutually different 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR), connection betweentransfer circuits and antennas can be dynamically optimized according tothe priority of signal transferring and the superiority or inferiorityof antenna sensitivities. It is thus possible to improve connectivity ofa communication line between a communications partner such as a basestation and a mobile terminal including the above-describedradio-frequency front-end circuit.

4. Configuration of Radio-Frequency Front-End Circuit 1C andCommunication Device 5C According to Variation 2

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration ofradio-frequency front-end circuit 1C and communication device 5Caccording to Variation 2. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C andcommunication device 5C according to the present variation are oneworking examples of radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 andcommunication device 5 according to the embodiment, in which 4G isapplied as the first communication system and 5G is applied as thesecond communication system. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C andcommunication device 5C according to the present variation are differentfrom radio-frequency front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5Aaccording to the working example in that a third transfer circuit isincluded. In the following, description of the configurations ofradio-frequency front-end circuit 1C and communication device 5Caccording to the present variation that are the same as theconfigurations of radio-frequency front-end circuit 1A and communicationdevice 5A according to the working example will be omitted, anddescription will be centered on a different configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, communication device 5C includesradio-frequency front-end circuit 1C, antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, 2Pc, 2Sa, and2Sb, RFIC 3, and BBIC 4.

Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C includes transfer circuits 10, 20,and 80, reception circuits 40 and 50, switches 31 and 60, and couplers71, 72, and 73.

Transfer circuit 10 is one example of the first transfer circuit, andtransfers a first radio-frequency signal of the first communicationsystem (4G). Transfer circuit 10 is connected to selection terminal 31 dof switch 31. Transfer circuit 10 transfers, for example, a firstradio-frequency signal of 4G (LTE) Band 41 (transmission and receptionband: 2496 MHz to 2690 MHz, the first communication band).

Transfer circuit 20 is one example of the second transfer circuit, andtransfers a second radio-frequency signal of the second communicationsystem (5G). Transfer circuit 20 is connected to selection terminal 31 eof switch 31. Transfer circuit 20 transfers, for example, a secondradio-frequency signal of 5G (NR) n 41 (transmission and reception band:2496 MHz to 2690 MHz, the second communication band).

Transfer circuit 80 is one example of the third transfer circuit, andtransfers a third radio-frequency signal of the third communicationsystem. Transfer circuit 80 is connected to selection terminal 31 f ofswitch 31.

According to the present variation, the third communication system isthe 4G as with the first communication system, and the thirdradio-frequency signal is a signal of an LTE communication band.Transfer circuit 80 transfers, for example, a third radio-frequencysignal of 4G (LTE) Band 5 (transmission band: 824 MHz to 849 MHz,reception band: 869 MHz to 894 MHz). Transfer circuit 80 includes atransmission and reception terminal, a transmission input terminal, areception output terminal, duplexer 85, power amplifier 83, andlow-noise amplifier 84.

Duplexer 85 includes transmission filter 85T and reception filter 85R.Transmission filter 85T is a bandpass filter which has, as a passband, atransmission band of a third communication band of the thirdcommunication system, includes an input terminal connected to an outputterminal of power amplifier 83, and includes an output terminalconnected to selection terminal 31 f via the transmission and receptionterminal. Reception filter 85R is a bandpass filter which has, as apassband, a reception band of a third communication band of the thirdcommunication system, includes an input terminal connected to selectionterminal 31 f via the transmission and reception terminal, and includesan output terminal connected to an input terminal of low-noise amplifier84.

Power amplifier 83 amplifies a third radio-frequency signal that hasbeen input to the transmission input terminal. Low-noise amplifier 84amplifies a third radio-frequency signal that has been input to thetransmission input terminal.

With the above-described configuration, transfer circuit 80 outputs thethird radio-frequency signal amplified by power amplifier 23 towardantennas 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c via transmission filter 85T. Furthermore,transfer circuit 80 amplifies, by low-noise amplifier 84, the thirdradio-frequency signal that has been received by antennas 2 a, 2 b, or 2c and has passed through reception filter 85R, and outputs the amplifiedthird radio-frequency signal toward RFIC 3. In other words, transfercircuit 80 executes transmission and reception of the thirdradio-frequency signal in the FDD system.

In radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C and communication device 5Caccording to the present variation, a second radio-frequency signal ofthe second communication system includes user data of the secondcommunication system. In addition, a third radio-frequency signal of thethird communication system includes user data of the third communicationsystem. In addition, a first radio-frequency signal of the firstcommunication system includes communication control data for enablingtransferring the user data of the second communication system bytransfer circuit 20, and user data of the first communication system.

Switch 31 is one example of the first switch, and includes antennaterminal 31 a (first antenna terminal), antenna terminal 31 b (secondantenna terminal), antenna terminal 31 c (fifth antenna terminal),selection terminal 31 d (first selection terminal), selection terminal31 e (second selection terminal), and selection terminal 31 f (fifthselection terminal).

Antenna terminal 31 a is connected to antenna 2Pa, antenna terminal 31 bis connected to antenna 2Pb, and antenna terminal 31 c is connected toantenna 2Pc. In addition, selection terminal 31 d is connected totransfer circuit 10, selection terminal 31 e is connected to transfercircuit 20, and selection terminal 31 f is connected to transfer circuit80. It should be noted that, although three selection terminals, namely,selection terminals 31 d, 31 e, and 31 f,have been exemplified above,the total number of selection terminals is not limited to three, and maybe four or more.

Antenna 2Pa is one example of the first antenna, and connected toantenna terminal 31 a. Antenna 2Pb is one example of the second antenna,and connected to antenna terminal 31 b. Antenna 2Pc is one example ofthe fifth antenna, and connected to antenna terminal 31 c. Antennas 2Pa,2Pb, and 2Pc emit or receive 4G and 5G radio-frequency signals.

It should be noted that antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc are primary antennaswhich are used in preference to antennas 2Sa and 2Sb in view of anantenna performance, etc. In contrast, antennas 2Sa and 2Sb aresecondary antennas for receiving only.

Coupler 71 is disposed on a path connecting transfer circuit 10 andselection terminal 31 d of switch 31, and measures a transmission powervalue of the first radio-frequency signal output from transfer circuit10.

Coupler 72 is disposed on a path connecting transfer circuit 20 andselection terminal 31 e of switch 31, and measures a transmission powervalue of the second radio-frequency signal output from transfer circuit20.

Coupler 73 is disposed on a path connecting transfer circuit 80 andselection terminal 31 f of switch 31, and measures a transmission powervalue of the third radio-frequency signal output from transfer circuit80. The measured transmission power value of the third radio-frequencysignal is transferred to the controller of RFIC 3. It should be notedthat, when selection terminal 31 f and antenna terminal 31 a areconnected, the greater the transmission power value measured by coupler73 is, the lower the antenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pa for the thirdradio-frequency signal is, and the smaller the transmission power valuemeasured by coupler 73 is, the higher the antenna sensitivity of antenna2Pa for the third radio-frequency signal is. In addition, when selectionterminal 31 f and antenna terminal 31 b are connected, the greater thetransmission power value measured by coupler 73 is, the lower theantenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pb for the third radio-frequency signalis, and the smaller the transmission power value measured by coupler 73is, the higher the antenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pb for the thirdradio-frequency signal is. In addition, when selection terminal 31 f andantenna terminal 31 c are connected, the greater the transmission powervalue measured by coupler 73 is, the lower the antenna sensitivity ofantenna 2Pc for the third radio-frequency signal is, and the smaller thetransmission power value measured by coupler 73 is, the higher theantenna sensitivity of antenna 2Pc for the third radio-frequency signalis. It should be noted that coupler 73 may be disposed on a pathconnecting antenna terminal 31 c of switch 31 and antenna 2Pc. In thiscase, coupler 73 measures a transmission power value of the thirdradio-frequency signal output from transfer circuit 10, 20, or 80according to the connected state of switch 31.

With the above-described configuration, switch 31 switches connectionsbetween transfer circuits 10, 20, and 80 and antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pcaccording to superiority or inferiority of antenna sensitivities ofantennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc. Switch 31 connects selection terminal 31 dto an antenna which is the highest in antenna sensitivity among antennas2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc.

More specifically, when it is determined that antenna 2Pa is the highestin antenna sensitivity among antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc on the basis ofthe transmission power values of the radio-frequency signals transferredfrom couplers 71, 72, and 73, the controller of RFIC 3 outputs to,switch 31, control signal Ctrl1 for implementing the following connectedstate. In this case, control signal Ctrl1 connects antenna terminal 31 ato selection terminal 31d, connects antenna terminal 31 b to one ofselection terminals 31 e and 31 f, and connects antenna terminal 31 c tothe other of selection terminals 31 e and 31 f. In addition, when it isdetermined that antenna 2Pb is the highest in antenna sensitivity amongantennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc on the basis of the transmission power valuesof the radio-frequency signals transferred from couplers 71, 72, and 73,the controller of RFIC 3 outputs to, switch 31, control signal Ctrl1 forimplementing the following connected state. In this case, control signalCtrl1 connects antenna terminal 31 b to selection terminal 31d, connectsantenna terminal 31 a to one of selection terminals 31 e and 31 f, andconnects antenna terminal 31 c to the other of selection terminals 31 eand 31 f. In addition, when it is determined that antenna 2Pc is thehighest in antenna sensitivity among antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc on thebasis of the transmission power values of the radio-frequency signalstransferred from couplers 71, 72, and 73, the controller of RFIC 3outputs to, switch 31, control signal Ctrl1 for implementing thefollowing connected state. In this case, control signal Ctrl1 connectsantenna terminal 31 c to selection terminal 31d, connects antennaterminal 31 a to one of selection terminals 31 e and 31 f, and connectsantenna terminal 31 b to the other of selection terminals 31 e and 31 f.

With the above-described configuration of radio-frequency front-endcircuit 1C and communication device 5C according to the presentvariation, transfer circuit 10 that transfers a 4G (LTE) radio-frequencysignal including 5G communication control information is connected to anantenna which is the highest in antenna sensitivity, and transfercircuit 20 for 5G

(NR) and transfer circuit 80 for 4G (LTE) are connected to the otherantennas, and thus connection reliability of 4G (LTE) that is to be usedfor the priority connection is improved. Furthermore, it is possible tosimultaneously transfer radio-frequency signals of the firstcommunication band and the third communication band which are of thesame 4G (LTE) (carrier aggregation (CA)). More specifically, whensimultaneously transferring radio-frequency signals of mutuallydifferent 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) while executing 4G (LTE) CA, connectionbetween transfer circuits and antennas can be dynamically optimizedaccording to the priority of signal transferring and the superiority orinferiority of antenna sensitivities. It is thus possible to improveconnectivity of a communication line between a communications partnersuch as a base station and a mobile terminal including theabove-described radio-frequency front-end circuit.

It should be noted that, when radio-frequency signals of the firstcommunication band and the third communication band which are of thesame 4G (LTE) are not simultaneously transferred, switch 31 connectsselection terminal 31 d to an antenna which is the highest in antennasensitivity among antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc, and connects selectionterminal 31 e to one of the other antennas. However, selection terminal31f need not be connected to any of the antennas.

It should be noted that, with radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C andcommunication device 5C according to the present variation as well, inthe same manner as the working example and Variation 1, the controllerof RFIC 3 may measure the antenna sensitivity of each of antennas 2Pa,2Pb, and 2Pc on the basis of the reception power value of theradio-frequency signal obtained by the RSSI included in RFIC 3.

In addition, the third communication band of the third radio-frequencysignals transferred through transfer circuit 80 need not be thecommunication band of the first communication system (4G), and may be acommunication band of the second communication system (5G). Furthermore,the third communication band is not limited to the LTE Band

In addition, transfer circuit 80 may have a configuration that executestransmission and reception in a TDD system.

5. Configuration of Radio-Frequency Front-End Circuit 1D andCommunication Device 5D According to Variation 3

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration ofradio-frequency front-end circuit 1D and communication device 5Daccording to Variation 3. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1D andcommunication device 5D according to the present variation are oneworking examples of radio-frequency front-end circuit 1 andcommunication device 5 according to the embodiment, in which 4G isapplied as the first communication system and 5G is applied as thesecond communication system. Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1D andcommunication device 5D according to the present variation are differentfrom radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C and communication device 5Caccording to Variation 2 in that the third transfer circuit is areception circuit. In the following, description of the configurationsof radio-frequency front-end circuit 1D and communication device 5Daccording to the present variation that are the same as theconfigurations of radio-frequency front-end circuit 1C and communicationdevice 5C according to Variation 2 will be omitted, and description willbe centered on a different configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, communication device 5D includesradio-frequency front-end circuit 1D, antennas 2Pa, 2Pb, 2Pc, 2Sa, and2Sb, RFIC 3, and BBIC 4.

Radio-frequency front-end circuit 1D includes transfer circuits 10 and20, reception circuits 40, 50, and 90, switches 31 and 60, and couplers71, and 72.

Transfer circuit 90 is one example of the third transfer circuit, andreceives a third reception signal of the third communication system.Reception circuit 90 is connected to selection terminal 31 f of switch31.

According to the present variation, the third communication system isthe 4G as with the first communication system, and the third receptionis a signal of an LTE communication band. Reception circuit 90transfers, for example, a third reception signal of 4G (LTE) Band 1(reception band: 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz). It should be noted that, thethird communication system may be the 5G as with the secondcommunication system, and the third reception signal may be a signal ofan NR communication band. In this case, reception circuit 90 transfers,for example, a third reception signal of 5G (NR) n 1 (reception band:2110 MHz to 2170 MHz).

Reception circuit 90 includes an input terminal, an output terminal,filter 92, and low-noise amplifier 94.

Filter 92 is, for example, a bandpass filter having, as a passband, a 4G(LTE) third communication band, and connected between the input terminaland low-noise amplifier 94.

Low-noise amplifier 94 preferentially amplifies, for example, areception signal of the 4G (LTE) third communication band. Low-noiseamplifier 94 is connected between filter 92 and an output terminal.

With the above-described configuration of radio-frequency front-endcircuit 1D and communication device 5D according to the presentvariation, transfer circuit 10 that transfers a 4G (LTE) radio-frequencysignal including 5G communication control information is connected to anantenna that is highest in antenna sensitivity, and transfer circuit 20for 5G (NR) and reception circuit 90 for 4G (LTE) are connected to theother antennas, and thus connection reliability of 4G (LTE) that is tobe used for the priority connection is improved. Furthermore, it ispossible to simultaneously receive radio-frequency signals of the firstcommunication band and the third communication band which are of thesame 4G (LTE) (CA). More specifically, when simultaneously transferringradio-frequency signals of mutually different 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) whileexecuting 4G (LTE) CA, connection between transfer circuits and antennascan be dynamically optimized according to the priority of signaltransferring and the superiority or inferiority of antennasensitivities. It is thus possible to improve connectivity of acommunication line between a communications partner such as a basestation and a mobile terminal including the above-describedradio-frequency front-end circuit.

It should be noted that, with radio-frequency front-end circuit 1D andcommunication device 5D according to the present variation as well, inthe same manner as the working example, Variation 1, and Variation 2,the controller of RFIC 3 may measure the antenna sensitivity of each ofantennas 2Pa, 2Pb, and 2Pc on the basis of the reception power value ofthe radio-frequency signal obtained by the RSSI included in RFIC 3.

Furthermore, the third communication band is not limited to the LTE Band1 or NR n1.

Other Embodiments

Although the radio-frequency front-end circuit and the communicationdevice according to the present disclosure have been described abovebased on the embodiment, the working example, and the variationsthereof, the radio-frequency front-end circuit and the communicationdevice according to the present disclosure are not limited to theforegoing embodiment, working example, and variations thereof. Thepresent disclosure also encompasses other embodiments achieved bycombining arbitrary structural components in the above-describedembodiment, working example, and variations thereof, variationsresulting from various modifications to the above-described embodiment,working example, and variations thereof that may be conceived by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the essence of the presentdisclosure, and various devices that include the radio-frequencyfront-end circuit and the communication device according to the aboveembodiment, working example, and variations thereof.

It should be noted that the radio-frequency front-end circuit and thecommunication device according to the foregoing embodiment, workingexample, and variations thereof are applied to a communication systemsuch as 3GPP as described above, and are typically applied to a systemthat simultaneously transfers a 4G (LTE) radio-frequency signal and a 5G(NR) radio-frequency signal as illustrated in the working example. Forexample, the following can be given as examples of a combination of 4G(LTE)/5G (NR): (1) Band 41/n 41 which is described in the workingexample, (2) Band 71/n71, (3) Band 3/n 3, etc.

Furthermore, the radio-frequency front-end circuit and the communicationdevice according to the foregoing embodiment, working example, andvariations thereof can be applied to a system that simultaneouslytransfers a 4G (LTE) first communication band and a 5G (NR) secondcommunication band of different frequency bands. In addition, for theradio-frequency front-end circuit and the communication device accordingto the foregoing embodiment, working example, and variations thereof,the following can be given as examples of a first communicationband/second communication band combination: (1) 4G-LTE licensedband/wireless local area network (WLAN); (2) 4G-LTE unlicensed band(4G-LTE-U)/WLAN; (3) 5G-NR licensed band/WLAN; (4) 5G-NR unlicensed band(5G-NR-U)/WLAN; and (5) licensed band/unlicensed band.

Furthermore, although in the foregoing embodiment, working example, andvariations thereof, configurations for the case of simultaneously usingtwo different communication bands and three different communicationbands were given as examples, the radio-frequency front-end circuit andthe communication device according to the present disclosure can also beapplied to a configuration for the case of simultaneously using four ormore different communication bands. In other words, a radio-frequencyfront-end circuit and communication device that simultaneously use fouror more different communication bands and have the configurations of theradio-frequency front-end circuit and communication device according tothe foregoing embodiment, working example, and variations thereof arealso included in the present disclosure.

Furthermore, for example, in the radio-frequency front-end circuit andcommunication device according to the foregoing embodiment, workingexample, and variations thereof, another radio-frequency front-endcircuit element and wiring, for example, may be inserted in a pathconnecting circuit elements and a signal path which are disclosed in thedrawings.

Furthermore, the controller according to the present disclosure may berealized as an integrated circuit (IC) or large scale integration (LSI).Furthermore, the method of implementation of structural components usingan integrated circuit may be realized using a dedicated circuit or ageneral-purpose processor. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) thatallows for programming after the manufacture of an LSI, or areconfigurable processor that allows for reconfiguration of theconnection and the setting of circuit cells inside an LSI may beemployed. When circuit integration technology that replaces LSIs comesalong owing to advances of the semiconductor technology or to a separatederivative technology, the function blocks may understandably beintegrated using that technology.

Although only some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure can be widely used in communication apparatusessuch as a mobile phone, as a radio-frequency front-end circuit and acommunication device that simultaneously transfer radio-frequencysignals of two or more different communication systems.

1. A radio-frequency front-end circuit configured to simultaneouslytransfer a first radio-frequency signal of a first communication systemand a second radio-frequency signal of a second communication system,the second communication system being different than the firstcommunication system, the radio-frequency front-end circuit comprising:a first transfer circuit configured to transfer the firstradio-frequency signal; and a first switch comprising a first antennaterminal connected to a first antenna, a second antenna terminalconnected to a second antenna, and at least two selection terminals, thesecond antenna being different than the first antenna, wherein: the atleast two selection terminals of the first switch comprise a firstselection terminal connected to the first transfer circuit, and a secondselection terminal connected to a second transfer circuit, the secondtransfer circuit being configured to transfer the second radio-frequencysignal, the second radio-frequency signal includes user data of thesecond communication system, and the first radio-frequency signalincludes communication control data for enabling transfer of the userdata of the second communication system via the second transfer circuit.2. The radio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 1, wherein:the first transfer circuit comprises a first power amplifier configuredto amplify the first radio-frequency signal, and to output a firstamplified radio-frequency signal, the first amplified radio-frequencysignal being transmitted by the first antenna or the second antenna, andthe second transfer circuit comprises a second power amplifierconfigured to amplify the second radio-frequency signal, and to output asecond amplified radio-frequency signal, the second amplifiedradio-frequency signal being transmitted by the first antenna or thesecond antenna.
 3. The radio-frequency front-end circuit according toclaim 1, wherein: the first transfer circuit comprises a first low-noiseamplifier configured to amplify the first radio-frequency signal, thefirst radio-frequency signal being received from the first antenna orthe second antenna, and the second transfer circuit comprises a secondlow-noise amplifier configured to amplify the second radio-frequencysignal, the second radio-frequency signal being received from the firstantenna or the second antenna.
 4. The radio-frequency front-end circuitaccording to claim 1, further comprising: the second transfer circuit.5. A radio-frequency front-end circuit configured to simultaneouslytransfer a first radio-frequency signal of a first communication systemand a second radio-frequency signal of a second communication system,the second communication system being different than the firstcommunication system, the radio-frequency front-end circuit comprising:a first transfer circuit configured to transfer the firstradio-frequency signal; a second transfer circuit configured to transferthe second radio-frequency signal; and a first switch comprising a firstantenna terminal connected to a first antenna, a second antenna terminalconnected to a second antenna, and at least two selection terminals, thesecond antenna being different than the first antenna, wherein the atleast two selection terminals of the first switch comprise a firstselection terminal connected to the first transfer circuit, and a secondselection terminal connected to the second transfer circuit, wherein thefirst transfer circuit comprises: a first power amplifier configured toamplify the first radio-frequency signal of the first communicationsystem; a first low-noise amplifier configured to amplify the firstradio-frequency signal of the first communication system; and atransmission and reception selector switch configured to exclusivelyswitch between connecting an output terminal of the first poweramplifier to the first selection terminal, and connecting an inputterminal of the first low-noise amplifier to the first selectionterminal, and wherein the second transfer circuit comprises: a secondpower amplifier configured to amplify the second radio-frequency signalof the second communication system; a second low-noise amplifierconfigured to amplify the second radio-frequency signal of the secondcommunication system; a transmission filter comprising an input terminalconnected to an output terminal of the second power amplifier, and anoutput terminal connected to the second selection terminal; and areception filter comprising an output terminal connected to an inputterminal of the second low-noise amplifier, and an input terminalconnected to the second selection terminal.
 6. A radio-frequencyfront-end circuit configured to simultaneously transfer a firstradio-frequency signal of a first communication system and a secondradio-frequency signal of a second communication system, the secondcommunication system being different than the first communicationsystem, the radio-frequency front-end circuit comprising: a firsttransfer circuit configured to transfer the first radio-frequencysignal; a second transfer circuit configured to transfer the secondradio-frequency signal; and a first switch comprising a first antennaterminal connected to a first antenna, a second antenna terminalconnected to a second antenna, and at least two selection terminals, thesecond antenna being different than the first antenna, wherein the atleast two selection terminals of the first switch comprise a firstselection terminal connected to the first transfer circuit, and a secondselection terminal connected to the second transfer circuit, wherein thesecond transfer circuit comprises: a second power amplifier configuredto amplify the second radio-frequency signal of the second communicationsystem; a second low-noise amplifier configured to amplify the secondradio-frequency signal of the second communication system; and atransmission and reception selector switch configured to exclusivelyswitch between connecting an output terminal of the second poweramplifier to the second selection terminal, and connecting an inputterminal of the second low-noise amplifier to the second selectionterminal, and wherein the first transfer circuit comprises: a firstpower amplifier configured to amplify the first radio-frequency signalof the first communication system; a first low-noise amplifierconfigured to amplify the first radio-frequency signal of the firstcommunication system; a transmission filter comprising an input terminalconnected to an output terminal of the first power amplifier, and anoutput terminal connected to the first selection terminal; and areception filter comprising an output terminal connected to an inputterminal of the first low-noise amplifier, and an input terminalconnected to the first selection terminal.
 7. The radio-frequencyfront-end circuit according to claim 4, wherein: the first transfercircuit comprises a first power amplifier configured to amplify thefirst radio-frequency signal, and to output a first amplifiedradio-frequency signal, the first amplified radio-frequency signal beingtransmitted by the first antenna or the second antenna, the secondtransfer circuit comprises a second power amplifier configured toamplify the second radio-frequency signal, and to output a secondamplified radio-frequency signal, the second amplified radio-frequencysignal being transmitted by the first antenna or the second antenna, theradio-frequency front-end circuit further comprises: a first receptioncircuit configured to transfer a first reception signal of the firstcommunication system; a second reception circuit configured to transfera second reception signal of the second communication system; and asecond switch comprising a third antenna terminal connected to a thirdantenna, a fourth antenna terminal connected to a fourth antenna, and atleast two selection terminals, the fourth antenna being different thanthe third antenna, and the at least two selection terminals of thesecond switch comprise a third selection terminal connected to the firstreception circuit, and a fourth selection terminal connected to thesecond reception circuit.
 8. The radio-frequency front-end circuitaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a third transfer circuitconfigured to transfer a third radio-frequency signal of a thirdcommunication system, wherein: the at least two selection terminals ofthe first switch comprises a fifth selection terminal connected to thethird transfer circuit, the third radio-frequency signal includes userdata of the third communication system, and the first switch furthercomprises a fifth antenna terminal connected to a fifth antenna, thefifth antenna being different from the first antenna and the secondantenna.
 9. The radio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 8,wherein: the third communication system is the same as the firstcommunication system, the first radio-frequency signal is of a firstcommunication band stipulated in the first communication system, and thethird radio-frequency signal is of a third communication band stipulatedin the first communication system, the third communication band beingdifferent than the first communication band.
 10. The radio-frequencyfront-end circuit according to claim 1, wherein: the first communicationsystem is a fourth generation communication system (4G), and the secondcommunication system is a fifth generation communication system (5G).11. The radio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 10,wherein: the first radio-frequency signal is a signal of a firstcommunication band stipulated in the fourth communication system, andthe second radio-frequency signal is a signal of a second communicationband that is stipulated in the fifth generation communication system andthat has a frequency range identical to a frequency range of the firstcommunication band.
 12. A communication device, comprising: theradio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 1; the firstantenna and the second antenna; and a radio-frequency (RF) signalprocessing circuit configured to process the first radio-frequencysignal or the second radio-frequency signal transmitted or received bythe first antenna or the second antenna, wherein the radio frequencyfront-end circuit is configured to transfer the first and secondradio-frequency signals between the first antenna, the second antenna,and the RF signal processing circuit.
 13. The radio-frequency front-endcircuit according to claim 5, wherein the second radio-frequency signalincludes user data of the second communication system, and wherein thefirst radio-frequency signal includes communication control data forenabling transfer of the user data of the second communication systemvia the second transfer circuit.
 14. The radio-frequency front-endcircuit according to claim 5, wherein: the first communication system isa fourth generation communication system (4G), and the secondcommunication system is a fifth generation communication system (5G).15. The radio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 14,wherein: the first radio-frequency signal is a signal of a firstcommunication band stipulated in the fourth communication system, andthe second radio-frequency signal is a signal of a second communicationband that is stipulated in the fifth generation communication system andthat has a frequency range identical to a frequency range of the firstcommunication band.
 16. A communication device, comprising: theradio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 5; the firstantenna and the second antenna; and a radio-frequency (RF) signalprocessing circuit configured to process the first radio-frequencysignal or the second radio-frequency signal transmitted or received bythe first antenna or the second antenna, wherein the radio frequencyfront-end circuit is configured to transfer the first and secondradio-frequency signals between the first antenna, the second antenna,and the RF signal processing circuit.
 17. The radio-frequency front-endcircuit according to claim 6, wherein the second radio-frequency signalincludes user data of the second communication system, and wherein thefirst radio-frequency signal includes communication control data forenabling transfer of the user data of the second communication systemvia the second transfer circuit.
 18. The radio-frequency front-endcircuit according to claim 6, wherein: the first communication system isa fourth generation communication system (4G), and the secondcommunication system is a fifth generation communication system (5G).19. The radio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 18,wherein: the first radio-frequency signal is a signal of a firstcommunication band stipulated in the fourth communication system, andthe second radio-frequency signal is a signal of a second communicationband that is stipulated in the fifth generation communication system andthat has a frequency range identical to a frequency range of the firstcommunication band.
 20. A communication device, comprising: theradio-frequency front-end circuit according to claim 6; the firstantenna and the second antenna; and a radio-frequency (RF) signalprocessing circuit configured to process the first radio-frequencysignal or the second radio-frequency signal transmitted or received bythe first antenna or the second antenna, wherein the radio frequencyfront-end circuit is configured to transfer the first and secondradio-frequency signals between the first antenna, the second antenna,and the RF signal processing circuit.